NT509/01Biblical Theology of Matthew's Gospel
A Brief Guide to Reading Matthew
Chapters 1-4
Introducing the New Exodus
1:1-25 Israel’s ongoing exile and the birth of the deliverer.
2:1-23 The Gentiles come and Jesus leaves an Egypt-like nation.
3:1-17 John the Baptist as the forerunner to the New Exodus and Jesus’ submission to baptism as a submission to death, burial and resurrection.
4:1-25 Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan comparable to Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus succeeds and according to the Old Testament promises, God’s mercy goes to the land of the Gentiles.
* An important programmatic statement:
4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. This important verse introduces two aspects of Jesus’ ministry: his teaching and his miracles.
Chapters 5-7
The New Moses teaching on the mountain.
Chapters 8-9
The New Moses performing 10 miracles.
The 4:23 statement repeated:[1]
9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.[2]
9:36-38 A problem…
Chapter 10
…the solution. Jesus calling the new 12 tribes.
Chapter 11
John’s question.
Chapters 5-9 have finally provoked the right question (11:1-15) and sadly, indifference (11:16-19).
11:25ff. Jesus comes bringing with him the promised rest of Jeremiah, and it is refused.
Chapter 12
Lord of the Sabbath.
12:1-14 Is it coincidental that Jesus has just spoken of “rest” (11:28-30) and there is now a conflict over the Sabbath? The healing of a man with a withered hand- a foretaste of the rest to come through Christ’s death (v. 14)
12:22ff. a sign given and rejected.
12:38ff. A sign requested and promised.
Chapter 13
The parables of the Kingdom.
13:1- Jesus leaves “the house” (compare with 10:6,14; 12:44-45). Jesus sits beside “the sea” (compare with 4:15, 18).
13:53-58 Jesus rejected, “in his own country and in his own house.”
Chapter 14
The old epoch is coming to an end.
If the one announcing the coming of the king is put to death what will happen to the king?
14:13-21 Jesus’ body will be food for his people. Is there a connection here with the Lord’s Supper?
14:15 Send them to the villages to buy bread. Compare with Isaiah 55.
14:22-33 Jesus walks on the water, which is an act greater than the parting of the water in the Exodus. The generation of the First Exodus doubt and perish. Peter doubts but Christ rescues him.
Chapter 15
A new epoch is beginning
15:1-20 Disciples break the law of the elders, the Religious Leaders break the Law of God. V. 13 brings the parables (13:24-30) to the feet of the Religious Leaders of Israel.
15:21-39 Defilement is not a Gentile problem it is a human problem. Defiled people are welcomed. Compare the Israelite crowds (12:23) with the Gentile woman (15:22) and the Gentile crowds (15:31).
15:32-39 Another miraculous feeding.
Chapter 16
Another request for a sign
16:1-12 It is now too late. They have missed the signs. The sign of Jonah remains
16:13-20 The disciples answer Jesus’ question
16:21-28 The intertwining of the Christ and the suffering sign of Jonah. Those who lose their lives will be saved and vindicated (16:26-28)
Chapter 17
The transfiguration as resurrection glory
Chapter 18
How Christ’s glory shapes the church.
Chapter 19
The Kingdom has always been opposed.
19:1-12 Divorce permitted because of hard hearts. God’s creation: Adam and Eve are a picture of Christ and his church (Eph 5).
19:16-30 To put anything above God, even the good gifts of God, is nothing short of idolatry.
Chapter 20
The status of the Kingdom is pure grace
20: 1-16 Not of him who works… The first will be last and the last first. Who are the first and the last here?
20:17-28 Suffering begins and ends the discussion on “greatness.”
20:29-34 The Leader of the blind contrasted with the old leaders (15:14).
Chapters 21-25
The entrance and abandonment of Jerusalem.
Chapter 26
The Passover Lamb celebrates Passover.
Chapter 27-28
The death and resurrection of Christ.
1
[1] This literary device is called an “inclusio.” An inclusio repeats the opening line at the conclusion telling the reader that the subject matter introduced has been completed.
[2] An important question that Matthew highlights and leaves virtually hanging in the air- Do these chapters touch on Christ’s activity in the synagogues?